This offers students aged 15-19 the chance to travel abroad for cultural exchanges of one week to a full academic year. Rotary clubs and districts sponsor and host more than 8,000 Youth Exchange students a year.

Waitakere Rotary both hosted and sponsored IYE students many times over the years.

This is a 2 week residential programme for OUTSTANDING all round science, maths and technology students in Year 12 who will be returning to Year 13 and are planning to study the sciences or technology at tertiary level.

Each Rotary District is allocated 22 places - and competion to attend is intense. In 2011 3 students from Rutherford College were accepted.

Those students who have been say it is a real eye opener and very rewarding.

Purpose1. To simulate the working of the United Nations Assembly by having school teams of two or three Year 12 and 13 (Forms 6 and 7) students represent a particular UN country in debates on matters of world politics and social concern.Debates are held over a weekend from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime.2. To develop bridges of goodwill for the furtherance of world peace and understanding.

Goals1. To develop in students an awareness of the United Nations and the international situation of the countries of the world.2. To enable students to improve their public speaking and debating skills.3. To encourage students to make informed comments on world problems.4. To encourage students to share their opinions and friendship with students from other schools in Rotary Districts 9910 & 9920.

Fundraising

The major source of the funds for Youth Projects comes from our annual Soap Box Derby. Some of the organizations we assist help us with manpower and support for this event. For many years Truancy Services have helped us set up the barriers; the Police have come with speed cameras to film and "fine" the kids; and the local Girl Guides and Scouts have helped with manpower.